Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin planned to capture Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov during a raid on Rostov-on-Don. The FSB learned about the plan two days before its implementation.
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The Wall Street Journal writes about this, citing intelligence and unnamed officials.
The interlocutors of the publication assess the chances of Prigogine’s plan as good, but he was deprived of surprise due to the transfer of information to the FSB. This forced the owner of PIK Wagner to speak early and improvise along the way.
Possibly, Prigozhin reported his plans to General, Commander of the Aerospace Forces Sergei Surovikin. Some of the commanders of the Russian army, probably, were also aware of the rebellion and did not oppose the entry of Wagner forces into Rostov.
The mutiny lasted 23 hours and 16 minutes. It ended with Prigozhin’s “leaving” for Belarus and Vladimir Putin’s strange statements.
Meanwhile, after the failure of the rebellion, massive purges are taking place in the Russian army.
The Rybar telegram channel, close to the Russian Ministry of Defense, reported on “large-scale purges in the ranks of the Russian Federation” after the Wagner rebellion. Employees of the Federal Security Service check those generals and officers who sympathized with the mercenaries.
Indecisiveness in suppressing the rebellion is an excuse on the basis of which objectionable people and persons who have actually failed in combat training, mobilization and logistical support are removed, the report says.
Especially check those pilots and border guards who refused to stop the march of mercenaries.
General Sergei Surovikin also fell under the scope of the security forces. According to the New York Times, citing American officials, he knew in advance that the rebellion was being prepared. The general has not appeared in public since Saturday, his whereabouts are unknown. According to the telegram channel, a wave of purges may also affect the chief of the general staff from the Russian Federation, Valery Gerasimov.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.